“WHO HAS QUALIFIED YOU!”

 

Colossians 1:9-14                       (ESV)

“[9] And so, from the day we heard, we HAVE NOT CEASED TO PRAY FOR YOU, asking that you may be FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE of HIS will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, [10] so as to walk in a manner worthy of the LORD, fully pleasing to HIM: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of GOD; [11] being strengthened with all power, according to HIS glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; [12] giving thanks to the FATHER, “WHO HAS QUALIFIED YOU” to share in the inheritance of the saints in LIGHT. [13] HE has DELIVERED US FROM THE DOMAIN OF DARKNESS and transferred us to the KINGDOM OF HIS BELOVED SON, [14] in whom we have REDEMPTION, the FORGIVENESS OF SINS.”

One of my favorite passages of Scripture is Colossians 1:15-20.  Acknowledging that CHRIST is the IMAGE OF GOD and that HE HOLDS ALL THINGS TOGETHER is something that constantly uplifts this wretch of a man.  The WORD that speaks to me today is “the FATHER, “WHO HAS QUALIFIED YOU” to be one of the CHOSEN by HIM and to GLORIFY HIS SON!  

It must be acknowledged that “I’m just a sinner saved by Grace”, although my yearnings are FAR different than before I was CHOSEN.  However, even though my desire is to live a life that Glorifies JESUS, the result is mostly FAR SHORT of what is required.  That is the PURPOSE of the sacrifice paid by JESUS on Calvary’s cross, to provide a way for this broken vessel to REFLECT the GLORY of CHRIST to a lost and dying world!  

Is it because I write these few words on occasion that I am “worthy” of being CHOSEN to SERVE HIM?  There is NOTHING that any can do that will JUSTIFY us before a HOLY GOD.  An eloquent sermon, a huge monetary gift, even giving our life for another will not be sufficient to cover our sin debt.  The Sacrifice of JESUS is the ONLY PRICE that will ever be SUFFICIENT before a HOLY GOD.  THE FATHER, in HIS infinite Wisdom, knew how vile and wretched I would be, yet HIS SON paid the MASSIVE PRICE for my Salvation and all I have to do is TRUST in HIS PLAN for my life!!!

The FATHER, “WHO HAS QUALIFIED YOU” to share in the inheritance of the saints in LIGHT has a PLAN, and I am BLESSED to be a part of that PLAN!  Not because I have qualified, or merited HIS FAVOR, but because of HIS MERCY!  I deserve JUDGMENT, but JESUS paid a debt HE did not owe so that I would be able to spend eternity with HIM, and with the ONE “WHO HAS QUALIFIED YOU”!!!